The Surprising Connection Between Your Christmas Tree and Airport Runways
Step into any home at Christmas and you’ll be greeted by the warm, inviting glow of a decorated tree. But beyond their festive sparkle, Christmas tree lights share a fascinating history and surprising technological similarities with the runway lights that guide airplanes safely to land. Discover with AviaSafe reveals how these two very different traditions are linked by innovation, symbolism, and the universal need to guide us home.
ENTER any house at Christmas and you’ll be drawn by a warm radiance, the gentle glow of a Christmas tree guiding you to the heart of the home. Each tree is uniquely decorated, adorned with baubles, garlands, and ornaments, often following a traditional color scheme of red, green, and gold. The festive atmosphere is completed by a string of bright electric lights, casting a magical shimmer across the room.
The symbolism of evergreens stretches back through history. In ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Hebrew cultures, evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands represented eternal life. In the Middle East, green is a sign of peace and freedom, while in Eastern Europe and the Nordics, evergreens are believed to protect from evil, bring good fortune, and serve as a reminder of resilience and the promise of longer days and spring’s return.
The Christmas tree as we know it is said to have originated in the German city of Bremen. During a harsh winter in the 1600s, the mayor had lanterns hung in trees to guide people to the Guild Hall. A giant tree outside, illuminated with lamps, welcomed visitors, while indoors, a tree decorated with apples, nuts, and pretzels offered sustenance to those arriving for holiday celebrations.
Queen Charlotte, the German wife of King George III, brought the tradition to England, setting up the first known Christmas tree at Queen’s Lodge, Windsor, in December 1800. An illustration of the English royal family gathered around a Christmas tree in the Illustrated London News helped popularize the custom among the British public. The tradition soon spread to other European royal families and, through German settlers, to America and South America. Today, around 100 million Christmas trees are sold worldwide.
But did you know the twinkling lights on your Christmas tree share a surprising connection with the runway lights that guide planes safely to land? Both began with the pioneering use of candles and lanterns, then halogen bulbs, and now use energy-saving LEDs. Early Christmas tree lights and runway lighting systems used series wiring – if one bulb failed, the whole string went dark. Both systems use color-coded lights: Christmas lights for decoration, runway lights for navigation and safety.
Both are designed for durability, with weatherproofing to withstand the elements. Modern systems use constant current regulators, circuits and transformers to ensure safety and consistent brightness. Fuses and circuit breakers protect against electrical faults, and both allow for easy replacement of individual bulbs or fixtures. Whether guiding loved ones home for the holidays or guiding pilots to a safe landing, these lights share a legacy of warmth, safety, and welcome.